News, 7/26/2011

Marko Ruonala appointed Press Attaché in Paris

The Ministry for Foreign Affairs has appointed Marko Ruonala as Press Attaché at the Finnish Embassy in Paris for a three-year term.

Ruonala, 47, has worked in mass media and communications for more than 20 years. He has a Master of Arts degree. In 1997–1998 he studied European journalism in Paris.

Ruonala will start in his new position in Paris on 1 November 2011. He will spend the interim period in induction training at the Ministry for Foreign Affairs Department for Communications and Culture. Ruonala is moving to his new post from the Ministry of the Environment, where he has served as Director of Communications and Project Manager.

From 2004 to 2008, Ruonala served as Press Attaché at the Finnish Permanent Mission to the EU. Prior to that he worked in Brussels as EU correspondent for the Finnish News Agency STT. His earlier career includes journalistic positions on several Finnish newspapers.

At the Embassy in Paris, Ruonala’s responsibilities will include the Embassy’s communications and media relations. The Press Attaché’s role is to further Finnish interests in France by means of public diplomacy and to work closely with other stakeholders to promote cultural and other exchange between the two countries.